There are a number of opportunities for farms to secure financing to support emissions reduction activities with the recent announcement of a new Clean Energy Finance Corporation product in addition to the Sustainability Loan available from the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA).

Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC)

The CEFC has announced a program to provide low-interest loans for farmers and agribusinesses to fund long-term cost savings initiatives to reduce emissions. There is up to $300 million available with discounts on interest rates of up to 1.15% for eligible borrowers under the CEFC’s new green asset finance program in partnership with the NAB. $100 million is available to agribusiness.

Loans are expected to be used for a range of emissions reduction activities ranging from around $1 million to $5 million.

More details of the initiative are available here.

The Clean Energy Finance Corporation have a number of other asset programs available to assist in financing emissions reductions for energy efficiency technologies, renewables and low emissions vehicles. Further details of CEFC Asset Finance programs are available here.

Towards Net Zero Agriculture Pathfinder

The CEFC and CSIRO have developed the Towards Net Zero Agriculture Pathfinder to assist farms to understand greenhouse gas emissions and plan activities to reduce emissions.

Webinar 26 February 2025.

The Clean Energy Finance Corporation will provide more details about the program and the Pathfinder at a Green Room webinar on 26 February 2025. For more details and to register, visit the CEFC Green Room registration page here.

QRIDA Sustainability Loans

The Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA) provides sustainability loans to primary produces to assist in financing farm sustainability activities. Loans are available at low rates for up to 20-year terms to invest in the latest infrastructure to improve farm viability and sustainability.

There are number of eligible activities such as upgrading, expanding or diversifying current activities, drought preparedness, irrigation upgrades and investment in capital equipment.

More details are available at the QRIDA Sustainability Loan website here.

Energy Case Studies

The Ag Energy Hub has a large number of case studies highlighting the savings and benefits on-farm energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Filter by industry, location, pump or irrigation type to find efficiency savings opportunities that are relevant to your operations. More details available here.